An interesting read in The Daily Star about food waste and some of the new and creative solutions that have emerged. The article features Ceasar Cider and its impact on the apple crisis through the production of cider from the apples that farmers can’t otherwise sell.
#buylocal#wehavethebestapples#CeasarCider
Read the article here

The Rooftop Garden fantastic initiative at the Women's Programs Association(WPA) in Burj Al-Barajneh Camp will allow the Soufra social enterprise of Women's Programs Association to be self-sufficient by planting 75% of the vegetables they need.

Thumbs up to Ziad Abichaker and the entire team behind this project. This is what he had to say about it:
“In a 100 sq.mt space on a rooftop in Bourj el Barajneh refugee Camp, we recycled what amounted to 128,100 supermarket #plastic bags to make #Ecoboard panels, we composted 954 Kgs of #food#waste to make 525 Kgs of #compost, mixed them with 525 Kgs of Dry #Mulch(Shredded agricultural waste) added 525 Kgs of red soil and created vertical planters enabling the newly cleared space to hold 2600 plants. The building had 12 AC units which were discharging their pure water onto the narrow streets of the camp. We hooked all 12 units to collect the runoff water and pumped it up to the roof to use as crystal clear irrigation water. Next time someone tells you how bad the garbage crisis is tell them you are looking at it from the wrong angle.
Waste = Resource = Food = Jobs = Well Being = PEACE. (Think long and hard about this equation)
A special thank you goes to Ramla Khalidi who instigated this project and lead it to fruition with the least amount of bureaucracy and a full amount of trust among all participants…”

We salute the commitment of the young Red Cross volunteers in Lebanon.

The Lebanese Red Cross is one of the most respected organizations in the country. The first aid responders have always worked with a humanitarian approach, demonstrating professionalism and effectiveness.

Do you remember “West Beyrouth”? The classic movie, written and directed by Ziad Doueiri, was released 20 years ago. The story of coming of age of three teenagers at the time of the outbreak of the civil war in 1975. The movie, amongst other prizes, won the Prix François Chalais at the Directors’ fortnight of …

Plastic pollution is impacting our lives in a dramatic way. We encourage all initiatives to reduce or eliminate the consumption of single-use plastic.

A few months ago the municipality of Jbeil was the first in Lebanon to ban the use of plastic bags. These will have to be replaced by -environmentally friendly-biodegradable bags by the end of the year.

There has also been a #BalaPlastic campaign led by local NGOs to encourage establishments to ban all single-use plastic straws and bottles.

Because of our terrible waste management, it’s important to remember that most of the waste we throw comes right back at us through water and air pollution.

Local french newspaper L’Orient-Le Jour has just launched a campaign against the use of plastic.
It’s time we all learn simple and good practices to fight against pollution.

Take action and mobilise your shopkeepers and your city to say #MaBaddaPlastic !

For all art lovers!
“On Photography in Lebanon: Stories and Essays” is the latest publication of @Kaphbooks.
This is a fantastic collective work in which 40 contributors from different backgrounds shared their point of view on photography evoking its equally numerous forms of existence. A total of 380 photographs (produced between the end of the 19th century and today) are compiled making this book the first of its kind on Lebanese photography.

This recently published article by Florence Massena in The New Arab talks about the ever growing flock of startups and social entrepreneurs in Lebanon and their need for funding. Several local and international accelerators and investors, interested in social outcomes, are helping fund and mentor young Lebanese startups. Michelle Mouracade, Alfanar’s country director, believes that “Lebanese people …

Just a few days left to visit the Contemporary Art Exhibition “Cycles of Collapsing Progress” at the monumental Rashid Karami International Exhibition Center in Tripoli, a project by legendary brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, unfinished due to the 1975 war.

This impressive exhibit is co-organised by BeMA (Beirut Museum of Art) & STUDIOCUR/ART. Curated by Karina El Helou. In partnership with the Anissa Touati Corporation for Mexico.

It showcases 19 projects in total, including 10 commissioned artworks along 9 produced works by artists from Lebanon and Mexico.

As part of its Keeping It Modern grants, the Getty Foundation announced that it has awarded $1.7 million to 11 architectural preservation projects of exceptional 20th century landmarks, one of which is the Rachid Karami International Fairground.

“UNESCO also announced that the fair has been accepted onto the Indicative World Heritage List, a significant step forward after long efforts that means the site is now being considered for full World Heritage List status.”